Ferrari, what a revolution! Salta Arrivabene, Binotto in chargeThe cohabitation between the two was now unsustainable, so the turning point: at the head of the Scuderia went up the head of the technical management, that Marchionne had wanted to revive the performance of the single-seaterBy now it was understood that the cohabitation of Ferrari between Maurizio Arrivabene and Mattia Binotto could not continue. But it was much more difficult to predict the turnaround that has been consumed in the last hours in Maranello. Perhaps already today it could be officialized the change at the top of the Sports Management, with the current team principal replaced by what until last year was the technical director of the stable. Between the departments of the factory there was an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty already in the last weeks, before the Christmas holidays. Then the turning point, with the non-renewal of the contract of Arrivabene, which until September seemed firmly in the saddle.

I'm of two minds on this. It's clear that Ferrari hasn't performed well enough, but there are two sides to that coin. For operation issues he is definitely responsible, and there were some glaring issues in 2018 (such as the botched job managing the drivers in Germany and Italy, and the mind-boggling weekend tyre strategies taken later in the year). But when it comes to technical performance it's more of a mixed bag. There is no endless pool of high-level engineering talent from which he can draw. People being both interested in F1 and qualified to be at the top of their field is not a common combination.

He took Ferrari as far as he could with what he had, and two second places in the WCC is not bad. It's just... it's Ferrari, so it's not good enough.

The writing was in the wall. Arrivabene seemed completely out of his depth in the last months. He probably was OK under the Marchionne's dictatorship umbrella, but certainly he is not not the right guy for managing the Scuderia on his own.

Interesting to see how all this plays out and what affect it will have on Ferrari over the next season or two. I didn’t think Arrivabene did a bad job, mistakes were made this year, but at the same time while he has been at the head the team has come back to fight for titles after spending years in the wilderness.

They made a few mistakes this year which they would surely learn from. Any change like this isn't good for team stability. Seems a strange decision and an impatient one but at the same time you can't really blame them for doing it.

Only time will tell if this is the right move, Ferrari sure have struggled but I don't think placing all the blame on Arrivabene is a solution. I liked him but think Ferrari's success is more important.
Someone mentioned that failure is not tolerated by Ferrari but I think Vettel failed more than Arrivabene, but it's more expensive to oust him. However, I think Ferrari's problems still remain in the driving mistakes. I never bought the media's (and Mercedes) claims that Ferrari was the best and fastest car overall so think there's is still more work to be done at Ferrari to get in front

Best thing they could've done. Was shambolic as leader last season, made some incredibly bizarre decisions such as sacking Raikkonen just when they needed him to play ball. That along with his media blackout idea that just meant rumours ran wild in the information vacuum it created increased pressure rather than reduced it.

The fact Marchionne wanted Binotto in before his death speaks volumes. He oversaw a resurgent Ferrari, it's probably a wise idea to follow through his plan. Ferrari will he stronger for this.

And Vettel will be out after 2019 and they will start everything all over again but with a better base than they had pre-Alonso and pre-Vettel.

So we put Ferrari in the freezer for the next 3 years to win a championship. We all want to see a fighting ferrari but there is no real stability in the team. Don't forget that it took 3 years with the Schumacher team to be championship winning team.

We all want to see a fighting ferrari but there is no real stability in the team.

You don't need stability, you need performance. Just prior to 2014, Mercedes was a right mess with multiple team directors, unclear responsibilities, infighting (if stories are to be believed) and all manner of other things that - had they happened at Ferrari - would have led to all the usual ethnic slurs being thrown around.

Ferrari needs a better car, one calmer and one better driver, and a more astute set of minds on the pitwall. No huge changes, just a slight improvement across the board.

Well that's not really good news. Change of management just before the season starts it would again lead to tension insight atleast for the first half year. So shall we say Lewis 2019 WC.

There was already an internal crisis and in team tensions since there was a fight for position between Binnoto & Arivabene, both wanted the same position inside the team and the situation had to be settled in one way or another.

Now at least we have clarity regarding the team structure, it was also the wish of Marchione to promote Binnoto at the expense of Arivabene.

Just prior to 2014, Mercedes was a right mess with multiple team directors, unclear responsibilities, infighting (if stories are to be believed) and all manner of other things that - had they happened at Ferrari - would have led to all the usual ethnic slurs being thrown around.

It's the best and only move Ferrari could have made and also proof that those in charge are not so clueless as they have been made by the press. Binotto and his engineers made Ferrari what it is and Marchionne understood that the 'Aldo Costa mistake' was not to be repeated. I would also say that those in charge must have an inkling of how motorsport works otherwise Arriva would have stayed thanks to his P.Morris' links.

Also interesting is the reference by Gazzetta that Marchionne, unlike also what was written by the all the typical knowledgeable pundits (Italian & English), most probably intended to renew with Raikonnen, presumably for at least one season more. This was hinted at by Turrini a few months ago, to the guffawing of even Autosprint - not that I am against Leclerc's promotion, but I do find it funny how certain narratives are spun.

I'm not overly surprised, I don't think he deals with pressure well at all. From his weird media bans in 2017, to never once looking in control of his emotions on the pitwall, I can't say I am surprised.

Luciano Burti had an interesting take on him last week, but unfortunately I can't find the quotes anymore...

I'm not overly surprised, I don't think he deals with pressure well at all. From his weird media bans in 2017, to never once looking in control of his emotions on the pitwall, I can't say I am surprised.

Luciano Burti had an interesting take on him last week, but unfortunately I can't find the quotes anymore...

Wasn't Jock Clear announced a little while ago to be Leclercs engineer?

You're absolutely correct.

The other thing that I had not noticed before is that Massimo Rivola had already left for Aprilia. Is it possible that he chose to leave because he knew what was about to happen? And that whoever will be his successor was the tipping point in chosing not to renew Arrivabene's contract?

He must be talking about other people (engineers, strategists...), there is no way they will get rid of Vettel before the 2019 season starts and it's probably too soon to know if they will continue with Vettel beyond 2019. Vettel has a contract until the end of 2020 though.